British Film - The Way Ahead (1944)

'The Way Ahead' (1944) follows a group of conscripts as they learn the skills necessary to survive as a modern infantryman during WW2. Following defeat at Dunkirk, Lieutenant Jim Perry (David Niven) is saddled with the worst platoon in the Duke of Glendon's Light Infantry, affectionately known as the DOGs. Fortunately he and Sergeant Fletcher (William Hartnell - later to become the first Doctor Who!) soon get down to the serious business of training them, to an accompaniment of much moaning and grumbling.
In this scene the recruits are about to take part in an important three day exercise when one of the quieter ones, Private Parsons (Hugh Burdon), goes AWOL. Lieutenant Perry is left to deal with the deserter and then with further misbehaviour on the exercise led by the usually reliable Private Lloyd (James Donald).
How does Lieutenant Perry deal with Private Hudson's desertion?
Why does Lloyd deliberately sabotage the exercise?
What is the significance of the date of release to the subject matter?
How are the audience positioned by Lieutenant Perry's speech to his platoon?
How does the film attempt to create a sense of collective identity in its audience?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• History
• of
• British
• Film
• The
• Way
• Ahead
• Collective
• Experience
• War
• Effort

[berelesmama]

sounds like a great historical piece. where can i find the whole movie (netflix doesnt seem to have it)

[AndrewChan84]

Conscription is immoral, unprincipled and nothing to be celebrated. As much as these film depict courage, the act of conscription in itself renders the principles of the "free-world" closer to that of the tyrannical one. I much rather to society go down to a standing army than to have its young naive youth die for greedy politicians. In the same light, I do not expect anyone to lay their life down on behalf of me either. My only duty is to pay my taxes, not surrender my life and limb to the will

[LineDoggie]

The only versions in the USA have completely goteen rid of this scene. be nice to see the film restored completely as its very good.